Television Nigerian

Illustrative, Medical staff

•Total confirmed cases now 131; Gov Makinde tests positive


•Ogun shifts lockdown till April 3; Nigeria records second fatality


•Osinbajo heads C’ttee on Economic Stability as Lagos discharges 5 Coronavirus patients


•Buhari exempts CBN, Finance Ministry from Abuja lockdown


•Benue index case not co-operating, Deputy Governor laments

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief, Dapo Akinrefon, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Omeiza Ajayi & Adeola Badru

ABUJA — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has said it is following up on no fewer than 6,000 people suspected to have had contact with the 111 previously confirmed cases of the disease in the country, as the tally rose to 131 last night.

It also expects the number of confirmed cases of the disease in the country to be on the rise, just as Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State disclosed that he has tested positive to Coronavirus.

These came as Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, yesterday, postponed the lock-down directive given by President Muhammadu Buhari from midnight yesterday to Friday, April 3.

This is even as the Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said yesterday that Nigeria has recorded a second death from Coronavirus, as government announced discharge of three persons who have recovered from the disease.

Speaking on his Twitter handle, Governor Makinde said: “I just received my COVID-19 confirmation test result. It is positive. I am asymptomatic and will continue to self-isolate.

“I have designated Professor Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while I recover fully.

“Please continue to comply with all the directives from the COVID-19 Task Force. Stay home, stay safe.”

No of cases’ll continue to rise — NCDC boss

Also, NCDC Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who dropped hint of the rise in the number of positive cases in the country on Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily, was hopeful that Nigeria would be able to manage the situation and reverse the trend.

He said: “We have crossed the one hundred mark and the reality is that there is a virus circulating in our midst and that is why Mr President came up yesterday (Sunday)  to speak to Nigerians.

“In the short term, we do expect the numbers to keep rising but we also expect that we will be able to get on top of this and that is why some measures were needed and we met with Mr President.”

Ihekweazu said the President’s decision to restrict movement, especially in Lagos and Abuja, was a tough but necessary one.

He also urged Nigerians to co-operate with the NCDC and others working hard to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

“He (Buhari) took a very hard decision to make the statement he made to institute the measures he did; you will see that this is really a call on Nigerians to come together and support these measures.

“We know that these measures work, the challenge for us as a society are the side effects of these measures and which is why they were very difficult to make … it has not been an easy measure to carry out in Nigeria’s biggest (commercial) city and Abuja.

“From today, we will appeal to Nigerians to bear the few weeks of pain that will come. Stay at home as much as possible, unless you really really need to go out and let’s see whether we can get on top of this.

“At the moment, there is no vaccine, there are no treatments that work; so, our only hope in containing this outbreak is to prevent transmission from one individual to the other. The way we can do this is to stop contact with each other which is very difficult, and which is why those extra measures were needed.”

Ihekweazu also said his agency is currently tracing 6,000 contacts of the 111 confirmed cases in the country.

He said: “These few weeks will help our teams, the Lagos State team, to have access to the contacts that are living around Lagos and FCT. We are following over 6,000 contacts of these 111 confirmed cases across these two cities.

“Every time we have a new case, we add about 50 to 60 contacts that we then have to follow every single day for 14 days. We can’t do this if we don’t have access to these cases, so this is really one of the reasons Mr President took this very difficult decision.”

Second death from Coronavirus

In a related development, Nigeria has recorded a second death due to coronavirus, as government yesterday announced the discharge of three persons who have recovered from the disease.

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who announced this at a news briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja yesterday, said: “Till date, three persons have been discharged after successful treatment. But sadly, another fatality was recorded over the weekend in the person of a patient who had severe underlying illnesses.

“We have intensified contact tracing and our strategy remains to promptly detect cases, isolate them, and follow up with their contacts and also isolate and treat, in order to reduce the spread of the infection.

“As of today, March 30, 2020, we have recorded 111 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria of which 68 are in Lagos, 21 in the FCT, seven in Oyo, three in Ogun, two in Bauchi, two in Edo, two in Osun, two in Enugu, and one each in Benue, Ekiti, Kaduna and Rivers states.”

READ ALSO: JUST IN: FCT minister Bello tests negative for Covid-19

Chairman of the task force and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, also announced the setting up of a committee on economic sustainability to be chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He said: “In the President’s broadcast on Sunday, March 29, 2020, he announced far reaching measures aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus. For economic sustainability, Mr. President has, today, (yesterday) approved the constitution of a committee to be chaired by the Vice President.

“The terms of reference of the committee will be announced soon. Similarly, Mr. President has approved the exemption of the financial services sector from the restrictions, to allow skeletal operations in the financial system and money markets in order to keep system in light operations during this period.

“The response strategy of the PTF shall remain focused on testing, detection, contact tracing, containment, slowing down the spread and management of coronavirus. A lot of questions have been asked by the public about testing and the PTF is always willing to provide relevant information and clarifications.

“Several measures have been put in place by government to address the problems posed by COVID-19 disease. The PTF has been methodical, learning from the experiences of other nations and adapting solutions that suit our environment.

“These include measures such as enforcing social distancing; advising on personal hygiene; closure of air, land and sea borders; banning mass gatherings above 50 persons; restricting movements in high burden areas such as Lagos and Abuja; aggressive contact tracing and isolation of cases; improving medical infrastructure, expanding testing capabilities and establishing new isolation centres.”

Five cases recover, discharged in Lagos

In a related development, Lagos State government has confirmed that five additional patients who have recovered from coronavirus were yesterday discharged  from Infectious Disease Centre, Yaba Mainland Hospital.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, who confirmed this to Vanguard on the telephone, said: “Yes, I’m aware. Five coronavirus patients who have fully recovered from the disease after treatment were set to be discharged from isolation centre today (yesterday).

“The state government has concluded all arrangements to reintegrate the patients into the society. By now the patients are supposed to be in their respective homes.

“However, the state government will soon come out with a statement on the issue very soon. It’s a thing of joy.”

Ogun gov extends lock-down deadline

Also yesterday, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State postponed the lock-down directive given by the President from midnight yesterday to Friday, April 3.

The governor, however, disclosed that postponement of the lock-down directive was informed by the need to provide food items and other palliatives to people of the state.

President Muhammadu Buhari in his nationwide address on Sunday, directed that Ogun, Lagos states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, should be on lock-down for a period of 14 days to contain the spread of coronavirus..

He said he had already consulted with the President on the need to postpone the lock-down and got the approval.

He said: “After consultation with the Presidency, the inter-state and international borders will close tonight (last night) at 11.00pm as directed by the President. However, the total lock-down of the state will be effective from 11pm on Friday, 3rd April, 2020. “This is to enable us finalise mechanisms for the distribution of relief materials and food items ahead of the total lock-down.

“We appeal to our people to abide by these government orders, and the advisories provided by the Ministry of Health on hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and social distancing. These include washing hands with soap under running water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer, if water is not available.

“Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the used tissue immediately. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.”

Lock-down tough but necessary, says Sanwo-Olu

Reacting to the President’s order to lock down Lagos yesterday, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described it as a “tough decision but a necessary step” to effectively stop and combat the spread of the pandemic

Sanwo-Olu, however, assured residents that the state government, in collaboration with  the Federal Government, other agencies and organizations, would stop at nothing to curb the spread of the  disease in the state and country at large.

He hailed residents of the state for their endurance since measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic were announced by the government.

CBN, Finance ministry exempt from lock-down

Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari has exempted the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning from the Abuja lock-down ordered on Sunday, as a measure to stop the spread of coronavirus in the.country.

The exemption was contained in a joint statement by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, and CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emediele, yesterday.

The statement read: “To ensure that Nigerians can still perform online transactions and use ATMs while observing these restrictions, we will like to inform the general public and all affected stakeholders that we have obtained exemptions from the President to allow very skeletal operations in the financial system and money markets in order to keep the system in light operations during this time.

“To this end, all relevant staff of affected outfits and agencies should look out for further instructions from their immediate bosses.

“We are mindful of the difficulties these restrictions would bring on ordinary Nigerians and are grateful to the President for approving these exemptions, which should help ease some of these burdens.

“We urge all Nigerians to be patient, cooperative and united as all hands are on deck to defeat this virus.”

Benue index case not co-operating to enable contact tracing, Deputy Gov laments

In Makurdi, chairman of the Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19 and Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Benson Abounu, has alleged that index case in the state was refusing to co-operate with his committee to enable contact tracing in the state.

The Deputy Governor who made this known yesterday at the end of the committee’s meeting in Makurdi said it took him and the surveillance team nearly seven hours last Saturday to plead with the victim to accept referral from a private hospital in Makurdi to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi treatment centre.

The index case had came into the state a week ago from London and sought treatment in a private hospital in Makurdi when she took ill two days later, after which the test conduct on her samples by the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC confirmed that she had Coronavirus.

But the index case had taken to social media, claiming she did not have the virus and was not being well-treated in the state.

According to the Deputy Governor, “On Saturday I pleaded (with her) from 2pm to 9pm when she eventually agreed to be moved to the treatment centre, after I spoke with two of her brothers.

“Even when a team went to take her vital signs, she refused them to treat her. She is simply not co-operating with us to enable us trace her contacts as well.

“But the good news is that her temperature has normalized and coughing has considerably come down. So according to protocol, her samples will still be taken for another test by the NCDC, who did the initial test and confirmed her positive.”

The Deputy Governor explained that since she was responding to treatment she would undergo two more tests to ascertain her status before her release.

Confirming the status of the index case, a professor of Public Health at the NCDC, Dr. Steven Abba who was drafted to the state by the centre said the index case was actually confirmed by the NCDC after the necessary tests were carried out on her samples.

“We have an index case in Benue state and the NCDC is working with state team to ensure that it is contained,” Abba said.

Vanguard

Muhammad Musa Bello

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has established a mechanism to cater for the vulnerable groups within the city centre and satellite towns during the 14-day lockdown.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made this known on Monday in Abuja while addressing newsmen at the end of a meeting with relevant stakeholders charged with the responsibility of implementing the lockdown directives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday ordered a complete lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11 p.m. on Monday,

Bello explained that FCTA in partnership with the relevant Federal Government agencies would cater for the vulnerable groups through palliatives measures.

He said that the FCT palliative committee would be headed by the Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu and supported by the Chairmen of Area Councils, Traditional and religious authorities, NGOs and support groups.

Bello said that all organs of the FCT security services and other government agencies have agreed to work out modalities to ensure that all entry and exit points of the city and satellite towns are manned by relevant security agencies.

READ ALSO: Covid-19: FCTA enforcement team arrests pastor, closes churches, pharmacy

” And in doing that the security agencies would be supported by the FCT Department of Road Traffic Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“The best way to curtail the spread of covid-19 is personal discipline, staying indoors, and ensure personal hygiene through constant handwashing with soap and water.

“I am appealing to the FCT residents to stay indoors, abide by all the regulations issued by health authorities,” Bello said

He reiterated that, except those that have been exempted from the restriction of movement, all residents are enjoined to stay at home.

The Minister warned that law enforcement agencies have been empowered to arrest and prosecute defaulters.

He noted that the FCT administration would not allow any individual or group as a result of their inability to honour medical advice to jeopardise the health of others.

“As we have been shown over the world, one of the greatest weapons to fight covid-19 is confinement and containment in one place.

“This way, contact tracing becomes much easier and those that are infected are easily provided medical services,” Bello said.

Watch https://youtu.be/UESieiAHqJE

Download this video

Garri

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

Some youths in Udu area of Udu local government area yesterday reportedly stormed some markets in the area forcing garri sellers to revert to the old price of N800 naira for the small paint can.

The youths according to eye witness accounts were heard shouting that the lockdown which commences in the state from Wednesday should not trigger off hike in the price of foodstuff.

Meantime there has been hike in the price of foodstuff in several markets.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: CBN begins provision of medical facilities in 6 geo-political zones

A paint of Garri which sold between N750 and N800 as at yesterday went for N1800. A paint can of beans which was N600 as at yesterday was selling for N900. A tuber of yam that was sold between N5 to N600 as at yesterday was selling for N900.

Some of the traders told the Vanguard that they had no choice but to increase the price for what they sold.

“If we don’t increase our price for what we sell we can’t buy things we need at the end of the day from others that have raised their process”, some said.

Click To Download This Video

First Bank

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced the donation of N1 billion toward the joint effort by the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Adeduntan said the donation was to rapidly expand health facilities; especially for testing, isolation and treatment, in the fight against COVID-19.

He said it was also for the provision of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities pivotal to controlling the spread, and importantly, treating individuals diagnosed with COVID- 19.

The bank chief said that the donation was in addition to the bank’s drive to move one million children to e-learning, together with an early partner -– Roducate —  as recommended by the Ministry of Education, Lagos State.

ALSO READ: FirstBank deploys measures to protect employees, customers from coronavirus

He said the bank had also reiterated its preparedness to provide essential banking services through its alternative channels to customers in line with the 14-day stay home directive for Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.

“We promise to continue to look at all areas of intervention where our business infrastructure, reach, digital platforms and other natural strengths lie and can be deployed to further support all efforts for Nigerians; young and old alike.

“To that end, we will continue to communicate ways in which we can do more together.

“We thank our community of friends, customers and other stakeholders who have continued to send us ideas and initiatives and are gladdened at the solidarity we see as Nigerians come together to tackle this under one umbrella.

“Please stay safe and let’s work together to flatten the curve”, Adeduntan stated.

FirstBank is the premier bank in West Africa and Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion bank for over 125 years.

With over 750 business locations and 44,000 Banking Agents spread across 99 per cent of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, FirstBank provides a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services to serve its over 15 million customers.

It has international presence through its subsidiaries, FBN Bank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FBN Bank in the Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra-Leone and Senegal, as well as a Representative Office in Beijing.

[NAN]

Vanguard News Nigeria.

By Michael Eboh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),Monday, said it has activated measures to guarantee seamless distribution of petrol across the country throughout the period of the lockdown and beyond.

In a statement in Abuja, Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), the NNPC’s downstream subsidiary, Mr. Musa Lawan, disclosed that the PPMC workforce had been mobilized to provide loading services throughout the period of the envisaged lockdown.

He explained that this assurance became necessary in order to ensure that the Presidential directive on the lockdown of some states is adhered to without concerns about availability of petroleum products

Lawan further cautioned motorists and other consumers of petroleum products on the need to avoid panic buying of petrol, especially as the corporation was ready to provide enough products across the country.

READ ALSO: We’ll give enforcement of coronavirus lockdown human face—Lagos CP

Lawan also disclosed that two more petrol laden vessels were expected to berth at the Nigerian Ports by Tuesday (today), noting that the vessels would be discharging 250 million litres of petrol.

“If you recall, two days ago, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, stated that we have 60 days sufficiency of Premium Motor Spirit. That is very correct. As a matter of fact, we have about 2.68 billion litres of petrol in-country and in marine storage. At the prevailing daily consumption rate of 45 million litres, that translates to roughly 60 days,’’ Lawan stated.

On the recent complaints of non-availability of personal protective equipment against the Coronavirus for tanker drivers by the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Lawan assured that the PPMC was engaging with the stakeholders’ to address the issue of safety kits for tanker drivers.

Vanguard

…restates commitment to achieve competitive growth in 2020

Unilever

Unilever Nigeria has released its audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019. The Company recorded a Turnover of N60.5 billion in the year under review.  This represents a decline compared to N92.89bn recorded for the corresponding year, 2018.

The results show the company also recorded a loss after tax of N7.42bn for the year ended 31 December 2019 relative to profit after tax of N10.55bn recorded for the comparative year 31 December 2018.

These results reflect challenging operating conditions but also the company’s decision to tighten credit terms to address exposure from trade receivables and excess stock in trade in order to better position the company for innovation and a return to competitive growth.  As a result, the Company is also better placed to adjust to the prevailing operating circumstances now emerging in 2020.

READ ALSO: Covid-19: Kano Commissioners, others slash 50% salary

The Corporate Affairs Director, ‘Soromidayo George stated that given this current uncertainty, the organisation will continue to monitor the business environment as well as focus on its strategy to deliver sustainable growth both in the medium and long term.

The Corporate Affairs Director noted that the business acknowledged that 2019 was a challenging year for everyone, but also that there were measures taken to adjust those challenges. She reaffirmed Unilever Nigeria’s commitment to support efforts to tackle the Coronavirus threat while keeping their eyes on the fundamentals of the business, supporting its brands, ensuring the integrity of the route-to-market model, and putting consumers and their needs at the heart of everything we do.

In her statement, she, also, said that they were confident of the prospects of the company, based on the legacy of growth and strong Unilever brands which have over the years satisfied consumers’ needs, and will continue to do so innovatively.

VANGUARD

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Orji

As part of his contributions to the fight against the rampaging Coronavirus, Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji MNSE, has intensified sensitisation of the people and commenced the free distribution of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to Abians.

In a statement to mark the commencement of the exercise on Monday, the Speaker said he embarked on the sensitisation and free distribution of the sanitizers to educate and ameliorate the people’s difficulty in accessing it because it has been priced out of the reach of the common man, advising dealers in sanitizers and similar products not to take advantage of the situation to rip the people off.

Speaking further on the exercise, the Speaker said, “During elections, I came to the masses to solicit for their votes with the promise that I will stand up for them both in good and bad times. When the report got to me that many of them could not afford the sanitizers, I decided to take up the responsibility and assist them as far as I could to ease their access to this vital item.

‘Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the fact that Coronavirus is not a death sentence and no one should panic about it but abide by all regulations and protocols established by the Abia state government and other relevant agencies so that the preventive, management and control measures put in place will be effective”, he concluded.

READ ALSO: Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde, tests positive for coronavirus

Before the commencement of the exercise, a member of the distribution team, Dr Anya Kalu, who is also a medical doctor, had sensitized the beneficiaries on the need to maintain a hygienic lifestyle, follow the recommended social distancing and obey all the guidelines issued by the state government and other relevant agencies concerning the virus.

Reacting, some of the beneficiaries of the exercise at Orie Ugba market in Umuahia, one of the several centers where the distribution exercise took place, expressed gratitude to the Speaker for his kind gesture, saying with the distribution of the sanitizers to them, they feel safer. They also urged him to continue with his good works as Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly assuring him of their continued support and prayers.

The Speaker’s sensitisation exercise has continued through various channels including the use of both traditional and modern communication platforms to reach the people.

VANGUARD

By Mike Eboh

Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Monday, disclosed that Nigeria earned a total of $32.63 billion from the oil and gas sector in 2018, a 55 per cent increase on the $20.99 billion recorded from the sector in 2017.

In a statement on the release of the 2018 oil and gas industry audit, NEITI also announced plans to release the 2019 audit report this year, effectively clearing the backlogs of the audits of the extractive sector and making the reports more timely and relevant.

Giving a breakdown of the $32.63 billion earned in 2018, NEITI stated that company-level financial flows into government coffers were $16.6 billion, while flows from sales of federation crude oil and gas accounted for $16.billion.

It said, “A five-year trend analysis of the earnings from the extractive sector showed a 54.6% drop from $54.6 billion in 2014 to $24.8 billion in 2015. The earnings further dropped by 31.2% to $17.05billion in 2016, but increased by 23% to $20.99 billion in 2017 and by 55% to $32.63 billion in 2018.

“Though the last two years bucked the trend of persisted decrease since 2014, the revenues from the sector in 2018 were still a staggering 40% below the $54.6 billion earned in 2014 when oil prices commenced a precipitous fall.

“The NEITI 2018 audit reconciled payments by seventy-one companies and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) that met the materiality threshold set for the exercise.  A total of eight government entities were also covered by the audit.

“Out of the $32.63 billion earned from the sector in 2018, the sum of $19.92 billion was transferred directly into the Federation Account, while $5.21 billion and $4.04 billion were transferred into the Joint Venture (JV) Cash Call Account and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) designated accounts respectively.

READ ALSO: NNPC, Total, Aiteo 31 oil firms donate $30m to fight COVID-19 in Nigeria

“The NNPC designated accounts are the Naira and dollar accounts where domestic crude sales and the federation equity, royalty, petroleum profit tax and in-kind oil sales are paid into respectively before remittance to the Federation Account. The report further disclosed that “$2.10billion was transferred into third parties project financing accounts and $1.37billion were recorded as subnational transfers.”

On production, NEITI stated that the total crude oil production in the country within the period under review was put at 701 million barrels, representing a slight increase of 1.5% when compared to 690 million barrels produced in 2017.

Giving a breakdown of crude oil production, NEITI disclosed that Joint Ventures (JVs) contributed highest production of 315 million barrels, followed by Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) which recorded 270.610 million barrels.

In addition, it noted that other funding arrangements like Sole Risk (SR), Marginal Fields (MF) and Service Contracts (SC) accounted for 92.2 million barrels, 22 million barrels, and 1.3 million barrels respectively.

NEITI said, “JV companies’ production increased by 3.12% in 2018 compared to 2017, while PSC operators’ production decreased by 10.90%. Similarly, SR operators’ production increased by 58.72% in 2018 compared to 2017. Production from the SC decreased by 10.27% while production from MF operators increased marginally by 1.18%.”

NEITI further disclosed that total crude oil lifted for both export and domestic sales in 2018 was 701 million barrels, representing a 1.9% increase when compared with total liftings of 688.3 million barrels in 2017.

In its analysis of the total lifting in 2018, NEITI stated that 255.6 million barrels or 36% was lifted by NNPC on behalf of the Federation, while companies lifted 445.5 million barrels or 64% of total liftings.

It said, “The liftings by NNPC indicates an increase of 5.95% when compared to 241 million barrels lifted in 2017. Further analysis showed that out of 255.6 million barrels lifted by NNPC in 2018, actual sales were 255.3 million barrels valued at $18.2 billion.

“Out of the 255.6 million barrels lifted on behalf of the Federation by NNPC, a total of 107.63million barrels was recorded as Domestic Crude Allocation (DCA) in 2018. Out of this figure, 94 million barrels or 87% of the DCA were utilized for Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP), while the balance of 13.58 million barrels or 13% was delivered to the refineries.

“Ordinarily, 160.2 million barrels (or 445, 000 barrels per day) should have been allocated for domestic consumption but only 107.63 million barrels or 67% of the customary allocation for domestic consumption was allocated in 2018.

“The sum of N2.295 trillion was realized as proceeds from sales of domestic crude oil allocation in 2018, out of which the following deductions were made: N722.3billion for under – recovery of imported petroleum products, N28.3 billion for crude and product losses and N138.95billion for pipeline repairs and maintenance cost.

“In 2018, total crude oil losses due to theft and sabotage was 53.28million barrels, an increase of 46.15% when compared to 16.824million barrels recorded in 2017”. Similarly, the report put total products losses in 2018, due to pipeline breakages at 204,397.07 cubic meters.

“On gas production, the NEITI 2018 oil and gas report revealed that the total gas production for the year under review was 2,909,143.69mmscf, while total gas utilization was 2,909,143.55 mmscf.

“From the report, $307.20 million was realized from the sales of Federation gas of 633.55thousand metric tons in 2018. This represents increase of 7.10% when compared to 721.80thousand metric ton valued at $286, 85 million realized in 2017.

“The national gas reserve stood at 200.79tcf as at end of 2018. This is made up of 101.98 tcf of Associated Gas (AG) and 98.81 tcf of Non-Associated Gas (NAG). With the 2018 annual gas production quantity, the gas Reserves Life Index (RLI) was estimated at 92 years”, the report disclosed.”

On management of Joint Venture Cash Call, the report disclosed that aggregate cash call funding for 2018 amounted to $5.98billion. In addition, the report noted that: “outstanding Cash Call Liabilities amounted to $3.66billion, comprising $3.41billion (93%) legacy liabilities and US$260million (7%) performance balance payable to JV operators”.

Another feature of the oil and gas report is on social expenditure.  “Total social expenditure (mandatory and voluntary expenditures) was $902.67million. This consists of voluntary contribution of $59.27million (6.57%) while mandatory contribution stood at $843.39million (93.40%)”. The mandatory contribution was made up of NDDC’s 3% levy of $683.38million and NCDMB’s 1% levy of $160.01million.

Oil and gas industry contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018 was put at 7.8%. “The flows in the industry accounted for $32.64billion in absolute terms. This represents 7.8% of the total GDP Current Basic Price of ($ 418.12billion)”.

Vanguard

Long queque at Diamond ATM gallery along Aba Road in Port Harcourt weekend. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has disrupted businesses, communities, education, livelihood and the lives of billions of people worldwide. As individuals and businesses react and desperately try to minimize the impact and spread of the virus, the government is also taking action. Only recently, the Lagos state government announced the immediate closure of open markets and stores, with the exception of those that sell essential items.

While this move is highly commendable, at this point, it is imperative that the government look into other payment and delivery methods to ensure that consumers are still able to stock up on essential items like food, drugs, water, toilet paper, soap, etc and business owners do not completely shut down and run at a total loss during this period.

Also read: COVID-19: Akin Alabi provides emergency relief package for Egbeda/Ona Ara

For instance, restaurants across the nation have not been mandated to close up, but just like other nations with higher cases of COVID-19 than Nigeria, it is only a matter of time before this will happen. This will not only affect the lives of these business owners but that of consumers who rely on them for daily upkeep.

Somewhere in Lagos, a small scale restaurant owner is currently on the verge of panic, as she fearfully awaits the time when her business will be forced to shut down. How will she feed and provide for her children if she is mandated to close up her business in the coming weeks?

In Onitsha, a major pharmaceutical store owner is worried about how to keep his business running as most of his customers are no longer interested in stepping out of their houses, talk more about entering the ever-bustling Onitsha main market to purchase pharmaceutical products.

Down in Ibadan, a vegetable oil distributor is wondering how he would continue to cater to his family, as fewer people are coming out to buy. On and on, the list of business owners who are currently at their wits ends goes.

Today, walking into a shopping mall like Shoprite is no longer as easy as it was a few weeks ago, as consumers have to join long queues and wait turns to get in, in line with the government directive of not more than 20 people in a gathering at a time.

With all these fears and inconveniences in place, finding an alternative means of buying and selling that reduces human-to-human contact has become a must.

In countries like the U.S, the U.K and a few European countries, restaurants and other retail companies are already using the contactless payment method to reduce the impact of the virus in the daily lives of citizens. While restaurants stay open, customers are however not allowed in. The staff in charge of preparing food or making deliveries take all the necessary precautions to protect themselves and consumers, by wearing preventive gear and avoiding or having limited contact with consumers. This sort of delivery allows delivery personnel to leave packages at the doorstep of consumers, as payment would have already been made online.

Already, e-commerce platforms like Jumia Nigeria already have the contactless delivery option in place, with many consumers opting for it over POD or the regular online payment that would still need verification and physical receipt of purchased products. They also have the Jumia Food platform, which has restaurants all over the country as partners, thereby providing several food options for consumers.


Jumia’s contactless delivery services are safe, with strict hygiene practices that ensure all packages leaving the warehouse are protected. With its integrated logistics network, Jumia makes these deliveries available to consumers all over the country, including remote and rural areas. This is important especially for elderly and sick people.

At a time like this, it is important that the government steps in to implement laws that allow business owners to keep functioning on grounds that they partner with delivery service providers to render contactless payment options.

Without these measures in place, the coronavirus epidemic will not only have a temporary effect but will leave millions of Nigerians struggling to get back on their feet even years after the virus has been contained.

Vanguard

Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

By Adeola Badru

HAVING been tested positive for Coronavirus, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo on Monday said that he remained asymptomatic and would remain in isolation till he fully recovers from the virus.

The governor who tweeted via his personal handle @seyiamakinde also said that he had appointed Prof Temitope Alonge, a former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while he recovers.

It would be recalled that Governor Makinde was one of the governors who attended the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, penultimate week, where he met with a number of colleagues.

Also read: COVID-19: NNPC donates ventilators, ambulances, others to Abuja isolation centre

The Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) had after the meeting advised its members who attended the Abuja meeting to go into self- isolation or undergo COVID-19 tests.

The test result, which was delivered to the governor at about 5.30 pm indicated that he had tested positive to Coronavirus.

The news of Makinde’s positive test came on the heels of the release of the state’s index case from the COVID-19 isolation centre.

The release of the patient was consequent upon the completion of his treatment at the Agbami Chest Hospital isolation centre, Ibadan.


The American returnee had initially tested negative only for the second test to read positive.

The index case had been on self-isolation at a private residence in Ibadan until he was transferred to the Isolation centre at Agbami, Jericho area of Ibadan on March 23.

The index case was released after two consecutive negative tests, the statement read.

The statement also quoted the State’s Incident Manager, Dr Taiwo Ladipo as saying that the confirmed case spent six days in the isolation centre and had two negative tests.

“He is well and very stable and is now back to his house. The infectious disease specialist will be reviewing him for follow up action,” the Manager said.

The governor stated in his tweet: “I just received my COVID-19 confirmation test result. It is positive. I am asymptomatic and will continue to self-isolate.”

“I have designated Prof Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director of the University College, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while I recover fully. Please continue to comply with all the directives from the COVID-19 Task Force. Stay home, stay safe.”

“The dusk to dawn curfew (7 PM to 6 AM) has taken affect from today; no gatherings of more than ten people should be held anywhere in Oyo State. From tonight, Sunday, March 29, 2020, all markets will be closed except those selling perishable food items.”

“Also, inter-state transportation into and out of the state has been suspended from tonight, Sunday, March 29, 2020, except vehicles carrying food items, medical, pharmaceutical and petroleum products. All measures will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

“Thank you all. Please stay safe by following the proper hygienic practices, washing your hands regularly or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser and also practising social distancing. The EOC Helplines; 08095394000 / 08095963000 / 08078288999 / 08078288800.”

Vanguard